Trial set for man accused of shooting at Longmont police

Aug. 10—The man who reportedly fired multiple rounds at Longmont police officers in January is set for trial next year.

Jesus Hilario Rodela Jr., 27, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Boulder District Court to five counts of attempted murder — extreme indifference, two counts of first-degree attempted murder of a peace officer after deliberation, two counts of first-degree assault of a police officer, aggravated motor vehicle theft, possession of a weapon by a previous offender, possession of a weapon on school grounds, aggravated motor vehicle theft, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and possession of a defaced firearm.

Rodela is now set for a seven-day trial starting Feb. 13, and a motions hearing Nov. 30.

He remains in custody at the Boulder County Jail on $250,000 bond.

According to an arrest affidavit, police were called to the 400 block of Baker Street at 2:19 p.m. Jan. 13 after a vehicle that had been reported stolen was spotted parked in an alley.

Officers ordered the two occupants of the vehicle to get out, and also ordered the occupants of a camper parked in the alley to surrender to police. One of the men who came out of the camper, later identified as Rodela, instead fled the scene while the other people were taken into custody.

According to the affidavit, an officer found Rodela in the 600 block of Baker Street and Rodela fired a handgun at the officer's vehicle, striking the vehicle once.

Rodela reportedly fired at and hit another officer's vehicle before that officer struck Rodela with the vehicle.

According to the affidavit, a drone captured footage of the incident that supported what the officers said happened. Two other witnesses also reported seeing Rodela shoot at the vehicles.

Officers searched Rodela and found $1,300 in cash and about 10 pills that police said appeared to be counterfeit oxycodone containing fentanyl.

He was transported to Longs Peak Hospital with a broken ankle, three broken ribs and a fractured vertebra.

The other man in the camper with Rodela said he knew Rodela as his supplier. The two people in the stolen car said they did not know Rodela but that he came to pick them up in the car when they had asked another person for a ride.

The officer who hit Rodela with the vehicle was cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation by the Boulder Critical Incident Team.